THE
International Union of Hunting with Hounds
About
The International Union of Hunting with Hounds (IUHH) is a division of the Federation of Association of Hunting and Conservation of the European Union (FACE).
FACE is an international, non profit making, non governmental organisation that builds bridges between European legislative bodies and the representatives of civil society who stand for sustainable hunting and conservation in Europe. It represents the interests of seven million hunters in thirty-eight countries including the twenty-seven EU countries, making it the largest democratically representative body for hunters in the world. FACE was founded in 1977 in Brussels, Belgium and still has its headquarters there today.
The IUHH has developed an International Charter for all affiliated Hunts to follow.
The charter was established by countries which Hunt with Horses and Hounds. The IUHH holds an annual meeting with rotating host countries. The Unions aim is to uphold the principles and standards of Hunting internationally.
Hunting with hounds takes place in many countries worldwide but principally in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America.
The Hunts' in these countries are governed by Associations with rules and codes of practice designed to suit the circumstances of each country.
There are principles of hunting, common to all, which form the basis of this Charter and to which the Hunting Associations from all the named countries above and Belgium signed in 2008.
Charter
1. Welfare: This Union believes that the interests of animal welfare are paramount to all hunting practices and pledges to act always in accordance with these principles. Wild animals are adapted to hunting and being hunted by evolution and their species survive because of it.
2. Utility and Wildlife Management: This Union pledges to act in the interest of the quarry species and the management of them. Further, it aims to maintain and enhance natural wildlife habitats and to monitor biodiversity in the countryside.
3. Stewardship: This Union pledges to act with responsibility and believes that hunting is part of the natural selection process and makes a positive contribution to the maintenance of sustainable and healthy populations of species within the living environment.
4. Culture: This Union pledges to champion and safeguard the culture of sustainable hunting as part of the world’s rich heritage.
5. Hounds: This Union pledges to maintain the specific breeds of hounds which are the basis of our way of hunting. As they have no other specific function, breeding them in our kennels is a main contribution to biodiversity.
6. The Right to Choose: This Union believes the right to choose to hunt under this Charter is the benchmark of a free and tolerant society.
7. Unity and Solidarity: The Union pledges to promote and defend these principles. Further pledges its support to all forms of sustainable hunting and angling.